The Bridesmaids Going Into Debt for Their Friends’ Weddings

Are you getting married? Best wishes! I can’t promise you a lifetime of happiness, but I am confident that your celebrations will probably cost more than you think (sorry; I hope the pictures are worth it).

How much to spend on your own wedding is your business, of course. But before you rope your dearest friends into your vision, maybe take a moment to consider what they can afford. Recent data from the Knot shows that the average costs of bridesmaid obligations add up to about $1,900 — which is a lot to ask, even (or especially) of your loved ones. Still, that hasn’t stopped many brides from expecting their friends to shell out even more, regardless of whether they have the means. And many of them don’t: Another survey found that one-third of bridal-party members went into debt for their friend’s weddings. Here, we spoke to three bridesmaids who have done so, and how they wish things could have gone differently.

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